Ahead of the 2024 Kentucky Derby, a Lineup of Horse Racing Champions Dominates the Scoreboard- Here’s All You Need to Know

Churchill Downs is preparing to behold another historical horse racing event with a stadium full of people cheering on their best picks. The most anticipated event, the 2024 Kentucky Derby, isn’t unknown to anyone. Sponsored by Woodford Reserve, the popularity of the Grade 1 stakes race can pose a serious threat to other horse races in line. But the qualification process is so extensive that the horses push their limits to reach the zenith.

Throughout the year, several qualification rounds take place, which culminate on the first Saturday of May. Every qualifying race will pick the top 5 finishers and add their points to decide whether they made it to the leaderboard or not. Though the governing body has declared several changes for the 2024 season, the run for victory remains the same. Let’s take a look at the leaderboard.

A horse racing analyst unveils the leaderboard

The X handle of the Kentucky Derby has posted a clip where analyst Kaitlin Free is taking us through the horse racing journey with all eyes set on Kentucky. The caption says, “The Road to the #KyDerby is well underway! @kaitlinefree gives you our Leaderboard Update”.

In a stellar line-up of horse racing events under the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and the Kentucky Derby Championship Season, the latest one was the $194,000 Lecomte Stakes. Taking that into consideration, Free said, “Track Phantom was awarded 20 points for his win in the Lecomte, so it’s going to sit just tied with Fierceness with 30 points.”

She further offered a glimpse of the other equine athletes, saying, “Nash also going to be in the fray here with 13 points, gain 10 points for that second place effort and as we look back, Lat Long going to be a new addition to the leaderboard gaining six points for his third-place effort in the LeCompte Stakes and also Ethan Energy will be part of this group”.

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Now, let’s snatch a look at Fierceness’ supremacy and Track Phantom’s recent win.

Two legends to lock horns

Fierceness, the reining Thoroughbred clinched the most coveted spot at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park. In 2023 itself, the two-year-old tasted success like no other. The equine, gracing trainer Todd Repole’s life, was identified as a contender at the Eclipse Award ceremony.

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On the other hand, Track Phantom, bringing a good name to trainer Steve Asmussen picked up 20 qualifying points at the Lecomte Stakes. Moreover, for the rest of the 10, he secured at the Gun Runner Stakes in December 2023. Currently standing at 30 points, the top two picks are at shoulder level with each other. It’s time to see who outclasses whom on May 4.